LWilson250
Member
- Jan 1, 2001
- 685
- 0
Well I had my first taste of an enduro yesterday. I didn’t know what an enduro tasted like, now I know, SAND. I rode round 3 of the TRH family enduro held in Sam Houston national forest. I had never ridden there before today. I really didn’t know what to expect.
My dad and I got up early and loaded the bike; it took about an hour to get to the trailhead. We unloaded my bike and talked to a few people. Everyone was nice and very helpful. I had NO idea what to do but all I had to do was ask. I headed over to sound check and passed at 93db. I started on minute 7. The first loop was great fun, tons and tons of sand. I let almost everyone go by me; I really didn’t want to hold anyone up. The trails were very dusty and I was glad that I ordered amber lenses for my goggles. By the end of the first loop I had drank about half of my 100oz camelbak. I must have been thirsty!
We ate a great lunch and I hung around the truck with my dad talking about the ride. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to ride the 2nd loop or not. Key time was coming up and I made my decision, I would ride the 2nd loop! I got my gear on and headed to the start. I started a little late but made up a little time on the solid ground. I rode along for a ways seeing no one behind me. When someone finally did come up behind me I promptly moved over. No sooner did I move over then the rider ran into a tree. I helped him get his bike up and by that time about 6 other riders had passed us.
Jumping forward to mile 10.
I was just staring to feel the oncoming tingles of arm pump when I decided to pull over and take a break. By this time I had let a great many people by and I didn’t see anyone until mile 16. I rode through the sandy whoops and turns. My XR250R did well I think. I almost have it enduro ready. It has a Cobra exhaust; Answer bark busters, Renthal bars, UNI air filter and WB brake snakes. I now realize that I need a SRC fork brace a lot! I think I had my shock set too stiff also, having never ridden in such deep sand I didn’t know what worked best.
Jumping forward to mile 16.
Wow! The arm pump was getting bad. I didn’t want to slow down though. So I kept pushing it through the woods. I want to know how these other riders go into and come out of the turns SOO fast! I tried a turn like that and nearly ran off the trail. I had a hard time keeping the front end tracking straight. Through roots, whoops and sand I went.
The Finish.
At about mile 18 the sweep rider caught up with me. He was very nice and told me some good ways to get through the sand. I thought I was very late, after all SWEEP rider had caught me! I pressed on until the finish, I was the LAST rider to come in. I turned in my scorecard and went back to the truck. I was only 46 minutes late! I am very happy I didn’t hour out. I think I ok for my first enduro.
So was anyone from DRN there?
The range of bikes there was amazing! I saw everything, but the KTM’s were the most popular. I would love to have a KTM. My dad, who rides an XR400R is interested in a 520E/XC now. I would like a 300E/XC or 300M/XC. By far the coolest bike I saw was the Gas Gas. I don’t know who the rider was but he was good.
I learned a lot at the enduro. You always let the faster rider by. Sand is EVIL, pure EVIL. Arm pump is also EVIL! Well maybe not evil, but it’s still bad. I also learned that I need to build up my endurance before Caney Creek rolls around. Investing in a roll chart would be a good idea. When riding in dust slow down.
I am looking forward to round 4 of the TRH family enduro series. My dad is going to get some MX gear and ride it with me. I think it’s being held at Skull Creek. If anyone wants to meet up there feel free to email me.
Well this is the end. I have nothing more to say.
Lee Wilson
My dad and I got up early and loaded the bike; it took about an hour to get to the trailhead. We unloaded my bike and talked to a few people. Everyone was nice and very helpful. I had NO idea what to do but all I had to do was ask. I headed over to sound check and passed at 93db. I started on minute 7. The first loop was great fun, tons and tons of sand. I let almost everyone go by me; I really didn’t want to hold anyone up. The trails were very dusty and I was glad that I ordered amber lenses for my goggles. By the end of the first loop I had drank about half of my 100oz camelbak. I must have been thirsty!
We ate a great lunch and I hung around the truck with my dad talking about the ride. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to ride the 2nd loop or not. Key time was coming up and I made my decision, I would ride the 2nd loop! I got my gear on and headed to the start. I started a little late but made up a little time on the solid ground. I rode along for a ways seeing no one behind me. When someone finally did come up behind me I promptly moved over. No sooner did I move over then the rider ran into a tree. I helped him get his bike up and by that time about 6 other riders had passed us.
Jumping forward to mile 10.
I was just staring to feel the oncoming tingles of arm pump when I decided to pull over and take a break. By this time I had let a great many people by and I didn’t see anyone until mile 16. I rode through the sandy whoops and turns. My XR250R did well I think. I almost have it enduro ready. It has a Cobra exhaust; Answer bark busters, Renthal bars, UNI air filter and WB brake snakes. I now realize that I need a SRC fork brace a lot! I think I had my shock set too stiff also, having never ridden in such deep sand I didn’t know what worked best.
Jumping forward to mile 16.
Wow! The arm pump was getting bad. I didn’t want to slow down though. So I kept pushing it through the woods. I want to know how these other riders go into and come out of the turns SOO fast! I tried a turn like that and nearly ran off the trail. I had a hard time keeping the front end tracking straight. Through roots, whoops and sand I went.
The Finish.
At about mile 18 the sweep rider caught up with me. He was very nice and told me some good ways to get through the sand. I thought I was very late, after all SWEEP rider had caught me! I pressed on until the finish, I was the LAST rider to come in. I turned in my scorecard and went back to the truck. I was only 46 minutes late! I am very happy I didn’t hour out. I think I ok for my first enduro.
So was anyone from DRN there?
The range of bikes there was amazing! I saw everything, but the KTM’s were the most popular. I would love to have a KTM. My dad, who rides an XR400R is interested in a 520E/XC now. I would like a 300E/XC or 300M/XC. By far the coolest bike I saw was the Gas Gas. I don’t know who the rider was but he was good.
I learned a lot at the enduro. You always let the faster rider by. Sand is EVIL, pure EVIL. Arm pump is also EVIL! Well maybe not evil, but it’s still bad. I also learned that I need to build up my endurance before Caney Creek rolls around. Investing in a roll chart would be a good idea. When riding in dust slow down.
I am looking forward to round 4 of the TRH family enduro series. My dad is going to get some MX gear and ride it with me. I think it’s being held at Skull Creek. If anyone wants to meet up there feel free to email me.
Well this is the end. I have nothing more to say.
Lee Wilson